Car camping near Lee Vining-looking for an overnight backpac

[nickrp]

Hi all, looking for some trip suggestions. heading up to lee Vining area June 5-12th, to car camp with a big group. I am planing to get away for a day or so for an overnighter in the area. I will have a shuttle for about 30 mins in any direction so either an out and back or look or point to point is fine with me. Just looking for some suggestions from some folks who know the area. Would love to camp overnight by a lake or stream with some decent backcountry fishing. Any suggestions????

[seanr]

To the west, research trips that start at Saddlebag Lake and head into or near the Twenty Lakes Basin. To the north, research trips starting at Virginia Lakes. To the south and a little lower in elevation, research trips starting from the June Lake Loop, such as the Agnew-Gem-Waugh Lake area.

There may be snow, but condition updates and reports should be coming. Be prepared for mosquitoes.

[nickrp]

Thanks Seanr! I have looked at saddlebag lake trips, but judging on current conditions it is looking doubtful that those trails will be too friendly. The lake isnt even planning to open until the 13th. (lake is still frozen and roads are closed). So I will tae a look at some of the lower elevation trips you recomended. And yeah, i figured mosquitos were going to be a problem....fun..... Thanks for the suggestions!! Any others are still welcome!

[seanr]

Your visit will fall around and during a time of rapid transition. Like you said, the lower elevation options will generally be a safer bet as far as snow and ice if you don't want to do potentially unnecessary research. At the same time, I would not be surprised if those higher areas have some decent hiking and camping spots by the time you visit. If you are lucky, the worst of the mosquitoes will come after your trip. Yeah, the resort and water taxi up at Saddlebag won't open until right after your visit, but Inyo NF reports the road is already open (may be impacted temporarily due to current snowstorms). http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/inyo/ ... width=full

[nickrp]

Yeah thinking I may stick to lower elevation unless it is crazy warm next few weeks. Was also looking at mono pass down bloody canyon. But again that's all under snow at the moment. If anyone has any good overnighter a under 10000 feet with some water near by it would be appreciated.


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[seanr]

You mentioned fishing as well. I'm not sure which of the lower (below 10k) lakes and streams are known for the best fishing.

Aside from Parker Lake and the two other areas you and I already mentioned off of June Lake Loop, you can find lakes below or at 9-10k feet by starting at Green Creek TH (Green, East, West Lakes). If enough snow melts (doubtful) you can exit at Virginia Lakes or the reverse, but driving up to Green Creek is a bit farther from Lee Vining on a (good) dirt road and the pass to make exit at Virginia Lakes is higher and much more strenuous hiking than the flat Saddlebag-Twenty Lakes Basin loop.

Of course you mentioned out and back would be fine, so you could just start from Green Creek TH and do Green (8954) and East (9458) or West (9875). There are smaller lakes just beyond East or West Lakes.

One more idea is Lundy Lake to Oneida Lake, which may have better fishing and is closer to Lee Vining. Lake Canyon is below 10k, but short enough (a little over 3 miles one way) that most dayhike it rather than backpack. Restrictions and quotas are less of an issue there than elsewhere.

[John Harper]

Perhaps you can hike south from 120 on the Mono Pass trail, there are some old mines at the top of Mono Pass, camp at the Sardine Lakes (fishing), then exit through Walker Lake TH. Someone would probably have to give you a ride to the Mono TH and pick you up at Walker TH.

John